Pineapple is a commercial fruit crop of India. This is an exquisite multiple fruit in existence, with cylindrical and oblong shape tapering at top resembles a pinecone having myriad health giving properties. Vazhakulam pineapple belongs to Queen Cultivar suited for table purpose.The Vazhakulam Pineapple area spreads in about 45 Km north, 40 Km west, 35 km east and 110 km South from Vazhakulam. It is cultivated in the following areas of the the respective districts of Kerala.

Specifications:Vazhakulam pineapple locally known as Kannara comes under the speciesAnanas comosus. The average fruit weight is 1300-1600gms. The fruit is having a pleasant aroma, have a slightly conical shape, fruit Ã¢eyesÃ¢ deeply placed, fruit flesh is crisp and golden yellow in colour, juice is sweet with 14-16o brix and its acidity is 0.50 - 0.70%. It is a good source of carotene, vitamins, minerals and energy.

Proof of Origin

Pineapple cultivation in Kerala is not recorded properly. But records revealed that Vazhakulam market was established as a pineapple market only from 1945 onwards. In the book Vazhakulam oru charitra veekshanam (Malayalam) (History of Vazhakulam) published by Sri. .M.Varghese, Olickal in 1985, it is stated that pineapple is controlling the Vazhakulam market since 1945.

Method of Production:

Pineapple can be grown in well drained slightly acidic soil. It prefers good sunlight than shaded condition. However it can be grown in well spaced coconut plantations where it gets filtered light. In the initial three years of rubber plantations, the shade is practically nil, hence pineapple can be grown in rubber as an intercrop during its initial three years of life. Places getting summer showers, apart from rainy seasons, and having high humidity are good for pineapple cultivation. If there is irrigation facility, irrigation can be given in summer months.Pineapple is propagated through suckers. Main planting season is April-May and August-September months. However, planting can also be done throughout the year except during the heavy continuous rainy period in June- July, if irrigation facility is available. Ploughing or digging the soil at a depth of 30 cm is done initially. Planting is done in paired rows with a spacing of 45 cm between rows and 30 cm between plants in a row. Spacing between paired rows is 150 cm. The suckers will be graded into small, large etc and uniform suckers are planted separately so as to facilitate uniform management. Suckers are selected from disease and pest free healthy plants. Suckers are to be graded into those having 500-750 g and 750-1000 g. The graded suckers are planted in different blocks or plots, to get uniformity in growth and flowering. Bigger sucker give early yield.

For the uniform flowering of pineapple, 25 ppm of ethephon is applied in physiologically mature plant. The plant will attain this growth normally by 7-8 months after planting. The fruits will be harvested according to the requirement of the market. Green fruits for distant markets are harvested at the stage of 120- 125 days after ethephon application. Ripe fruits for nearby markets will be harvested at 130 days after ethephon application.

Uniqueness:

Vazhakulam pineapple surpasses all owing to its characteristics such as delicious taste and unique aroma and flavour. The flesh is golden yellow and crisp. The fruit juice is having 14-160 Brix and its acidity is 0.50 - 0.70%. It is a good source of carotene, vitamins minerals and energy.The unique and complex combination of agro-climatic conditions prevailing in the region, pineapple produced in the said region are having distinctive and naturally occurring characteristics, which have won the patronage and recognition of discerning consumers all over Kerala, India and world. If it is grown in some other regions the characteristic qualities get diluted and affect the keeping quality. Low pest and disease incidence and hence less chemical pesticide used. Farmers are following cultivation practices as per FLO Standards which does not permit the use of chemical pesticides banned by World Health Organization. This indicates that Vazhakulam pineapples are almost free from Hazardous chemicals.